South America19 July, 20262 min read
Netanyahu Backs Javier Milei Ahead of Argentina-Spain 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium
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Netanyahu publicly backs Argentina for the final, via statements and a video. Argentine President Javier Milei strongly supports Israel, shaping Argentina's stance ahead of the final.
Netanyahu backs Argentina
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wagenis, and used the meeting to deliver support to Argentine President Javier Milei ahead of the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
“Netanyahu told the Argentine ambassador, asking him to relay his message to Milei: 'Javier, you are a true friend.”
Netanyahu told the ambassador, asking him to relay his message to Milei: 'Javier, you are a true friend. We support you and we support Argentina in many ways. Good luck!'
In response, the ambassador conveyed Milei’s greetings to Netanyahu, including Milei’s message: 'You are my friend, and you always support us. I was pleased to hear that you root for Argentina because of me.'
The final was set for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where CNN Arabic reported the match would be held at 11:00 p.m. (Dubai time) and CNN said Netanyahu’s office published a video of him heading a ball during the meeting.
Political fallout after Spain
After Spain won the World Cup final for the second time in its history by defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time, Anadolu Ajansı said the result dashed the hopes of Israeli officials and politicians who had expressed support for the Argentine team. Anadolu Ajansı also quoted the official Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation describing the match as the most political final in history, featuring Argentina against Spain, or Israel against the Palestinians.
In the same reporting, the Likud party posted a silent-face emoji in response to Spain’s victory, and a far-right Israeli settler published a photo showing him burning the Spanish flag. Haaretz framed the stakes beyond football by writing that Israel might be tempted to go into bat for Buenos Aires again, warning it would mean declaring diplomatic war on the United Kingdom.
Milei’s absence and stakes
Euronews reported that Milei would miss the final due to 'pessimism,' saying he would watch from his home after following previous matches that ended in victory. Euronews added that when Milei was asked on Thursday whether he would travel to New Jersey to attend the final alongside Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, he replied: 'Impossible.'
“Milei will miss the final due to 'pessimism.'”
In the same account, Euronews described Milei’s luck-related routine, including his explanation that he wears a jacket with an oil company logo and that he took it off in the Switzerland match before they scored, then put it back on and “haven't taken it off since.” Across Israel, the day of the final also drew public gatherings, with Al Jazeera’s regional coverage describing thousands of fans in public squares and the Today’s headline noting that crowds were seen waving Argentine flags and wearing Argentina national team jerseys.